The Perfect Family - by Robyn Harding (Paperback)

About the Book

"A sharp, smart, and compulsively readable new novel ... about a picture-perfect family--all hiding dark secrets--whose lives are upended by a dangerously escalating series of pranks"--

Book Synopsis

The bestselling author of the The Swap and The Party takes you "on a wild psychological ride with this addictive thriller" (Palm Beach Daily News) about what happens when a seemingly perfect family is pushed to the edge.

Thomas and Viv Adler are the envy of their neighbors: attractive, successful, with well-mannered children and a beautifully restored home.

Until one morning, when they wake up to find their porch has been pelted with eggs. It's a prank, Thomas insists; the work of a few out-of-control kids. But when a smoke bomb is tossed on their front lawn, and their car's tires are punctured, the family begins to worry.

Surveillance cameras show nothing but grainy images of shadowy figures in hoodies. And the police dismiss the attacks, insisting they're just the work of bored teenagers. Unable to identify the perpetrators, the Adlers are helpless as the assaults escalate into violence, and worse. And each new violation brings with it a growing fear. Because everyone in the Adler family is keeping a secret--not just from the outside world, but from each other. And secrets can be very dangerous....

"Unsettling and darkly sublime, Robyn Harding deftly explores twisted family dynamics and devastating secrets in suburbia in this stunning novel that will shock readers by the final page" (Christina McDonald, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Night Olivia Fell).

Review Quotes

"[A] highly entertaining domestic thriller . . . The brisk plot takes several clever twists before building to a shocking act of violence. Harding is sure to win new fans with this one."
-- Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"A propulsive, constantly surprising read that both entertains and chills--and makes the reader question whether they really know not only their neighbours, but their own family. From the opening page to the shocking last line, I was hooked."
-- LAURIE ELIZABETH FLYNN, bestselling author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here

"Brilliantly layered, fabulously developed, and interesting characters, and twists and turns galore all made for a compelling read I couldn't put down. Add to that Robyn's wry wit and dark sense of humour that made me laugh out loud, and this is definitely a summer hit. I loved it!"
-- HANNAH MARY McKINNON, bestselling author of Sister Dear and You Will Remember Me

"Edgy, diabolical, and completely suspenseful! The talented Robyn Harding peels back the sleek facade of suburbia to show its disturbing reality--and all the dangerous (and sometimes heartbreaking) secrets that even loving families keep from each other. Incredibly cinematic and jaw-droppingly devious, this book will have you turning the pages as fast as you can."
-- HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN, USA Today bestselling author of The First to Lie

"Excellent psychological suspense . . . [Harding's] best so far. . . . This is an excellent cottage weekend book."
-- The Globe and Mail

"Harding wields deep community ties like a garrote and redefines terror in suburbia. Breathless pacing and an inescapable sense of menace make Harding's latest an absolute must-read that will scare the hell out of you as only Harding can. This one's a stunner."
-- P.J. VERNON, author of Bath Haus and When You Find Me

"This is a burn-through-it beach read if ever there was one. . . . A classic "things-are-not-what-they-appear" story. In this case, parents Thomas and Viv have nice jobs, a beautiful home and kids. Then one day their shiny life starts to develop cracks as they're targeted by what they think at first is a group of bored, crummy teen vandals. News flash: It's not."
-- Vancouver Sun

"Unforgettable . . . Readers ready for a rollercoaster ride of guilty admissions peppered with red herrings and actual clues pertaining to the crimes committed will read straight to the end. A great choice for fans of Celeste Ng, Gillian Flynn, and Liane Moriarty."
-- Booklist (Starred Review)

"Unsettling and darkly sublime, Robyn Harding deftly explores twisted family dynamics and devastating secrets in suburbia in this stunning novel that will shock readers by the final page. The Perfect Family explores a perfect family's perfect façade, and how even perfect lies can become perfect nightmares. A mesmerizing, compulsively readable thriller, this one smoulders from the first page to the last."
-- CHRISTINA McDONALD, USA Today bestselling author of The Night Olivia Fell

About the Author

Robyn Harding is the author of numerous international bestsellers, including The Party, The Arrangement and The Drowning Woman. She has also written and executive produced an independent film. She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her family and two cute but deadly rescue chihuahuas. Visit her at RobynHarding.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @RHardingWriter or Facebook @AuthorRobynHarding.